The controversial character of the influential or favorite was reason for innumerable disputes during the 17th century within the sphere of the Hispanic Monarchy, mainly in the context of the reigns of Philip III and Philip IV. A number of authors had come to attack the figure of the favorite with regards to this theme, but many others had defended its legitimacy as the king's devoted friends assisted in the conduction of the Empire's business. Intrinsic to this phenomenon is the creation of the literary genre called Mirror of the Favorite. This article intends to question the meaning of some of these positive manifestations of influence in the sphere of 17th century Spanish political thought.
Influence; Hispanic Monarchy; Political Thought
